The Ash Villa Hostel has a chill atmosphere set in the quaint town of Derry, not too far from the downtown area. The hostel is in a residential area near a supermarket and is actually a large, white house with three dorms and some other private rooms. The dorms are one female, one male, and one mixed.
On the first floor are the owners' private quarters just off the entry hall where there is free, but slow, internet. Across from their quarters is the communal living room with TV, a fireplace, lots of books, some videos, and some comfy chairs and a couch. There are two kitchens, but only one is for the guests. There is also an amazing bathroom on the first floor, which is the owners', but which they allow guests to use. It's amazing because there is a jacuzzi bathtub in there with a removable spout and a bidet.
The kitchen is pretty tidy, but not immaculate. There is free instant coffee and tea all day. The butter and cereal (corn flakes and rice cereal) seem to be communal, but if you want milk, you'd better get your own. There is also a washer and dryer in the kitchen, but there is a puddle of stagnant wager inside the washer, so it seems mostly unused these days. The dryer looks slightly more promising.
The second floor has the dorms, and another two bathrooms -- one just a sink and toilet, the other a complete bathroom. It's not as wonderful as the first floor bathroom, but the shower stays the temperature you put it on after it takes a few seconds to warm up, and there is a removable spout -- a great feature. The owner has a small dog, so if you have severe dog allergies, beware. But the place stays pretty clean, and the dog is mostly in their private quarters, never upstairs, so it's not too worrisome.
The directions the owners give on the site are pretty good, except when walking down Foyle Street, head right from the bus station, and the square is just ahead (there's a huge cathedral -- hard to miss.) Then at the end of the square, veer right because there is a fork in the road, so to speak. You'll pass a movie theatre, and some pubs, then you'll walk out of the down town area and into a more residential part. Stay on the same road. Governor Road is acoss from the Sainsbury supermarket, after the Wheelers fast food joint. And if you have that "I'm lost" look on your face, chances are you'll be aproached by numerous friendly people who want to help.
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